John and Donna                          by Sandra Pinner
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John and Donna have been married for over fifty years.  They always have been, and still are, soul mates - sharing a mutual love of the arts, particularly music, and a deep curiosity about the world around them and its various cultures.

When John realized and finally accepted the fact that he was gradually losing his life-partner, his frustrations, anger, fear, and anxiety, led him to write of their experiences. Regular quarterly, sometimes monthly, e-mail ‘updates’ provided a way to keep friends and relatives informed as well as offering him some release from the stresses they both faced as their world slowly closed in around them.

Doctors seemed unable to tell him much about the progress of Donna’s condition so John decided that by summarizing those e-mails and chronologically presenting their experiences in this book he believed he might be able to assist others going through the same confusion and fear.
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I end with a quote from John:

​“Ultimately, some understanding and acceptance of Donna’s situation was the critical first step towards my peace of mind.”

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Photo: Courtesy of Wolfgang Knauer

i have more to say about the

beautiful lady on my left

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This is Donna as she looked​ in 2001,

always happy and smiling.


I think back to those days and see, 
"At 57 years of age,
she is at the peak of a her career as a dance and performing arts teacher, and also
the owner/operator of her new business.

I have just retired and have my first
opportunity to work with her.
Together, our world is an exciting
place as her creation

'Footloose Dance Productions'

shows signs of growth and success. 

Her 'Footloose' family is a happy family.
​Donna's creativity is being recognized in the 
theatrical community
and, like me, her students are excited to share these times with her.

These are very good years!"